Angry Batra steps down, raps Gill

Training his gun at Gill, Batra alleged that coach Joaquim Carvalho's appointment was because of the IHF's policy to appease the Bombay Hockey Association.

Indian Hockey Federation Vice President Narender Batra, a bitter critic of chief KPS Gill's "autocratic" functioning, today stepped down from his post and called for the IHF's top brass to also resign in the wake of India's failure to qualify for the Olympics.

Reacting sharply to India's 2-0 defeat against Great Britain in the Olympic qualifiers in Chile, Batra said all the top officials should take moral responsibility for the fiasco.

"I do not have words. It's a shame. I am disappointed. I tried my best but failed. My idea was to start an initiative to revive hockey. All the federation officials should resign," he said.

Training his gun at Gill, Batra alleged that coach Joaquim Carvalho's appointment was because of the IHF's policy to appease the Bombay Hockey Association.

"I am not talking about Carvalho's ability. But the way he was appointed," he said.

He also alleged that coaches who were vocal were changed and Carvalho continued as he was an "yes man."

Batra said it's unfortunate that a security person like Suresh Sharma worked as the chief of protocol.

"It's sad that Carvalho has to report to Suresh Sharma, a security person who was made chief selector," he said.

Batra said the Sports Ministry was not concerned about hockey and only government's intervention could revive the game.